Space-saving low-resistance power metal strip resistor

Vishay has announced a new surface-mount Power Metal Strip current sense resistor with an extended power rating of 1W in the compact 0612 case size. For increased measurement accuracy, the Vishay Dale WSKW0612 features a welded copper terminal construction and a Kelvin 4-terminal connection that reduces TCR down to 75ppm. The device offers low resistance values down to 0.001ohm to minimize excess power dissipation and improve end product efficiency. Providing 4x the power of standard resistors in the 1206 footprint, the resistor released today allows designers to save board space and reduce costs by utilizing fewer and smaller components. The WSKW0612's welded terminals reduce terminal resistance for higher accuracy than clad or electroplated terminals, while the low TCR provided by its 4-terminal connection reduces system measurement errors compared with typical 2-terminal devices. The device's advanced construction incorporates a solid metal nickel-chrome and manganese-copper resistive element with low TCR (< 20 ppm/°C). This results in a pulse-withstanding, tight-tolerance resistor that maintains the superior electrical characteristics of the Power Metal Strip construction. A proprietary processing technique produces extremely low resistance values ranging from 0.001ohm to 0.003ohm, with tolerances of ±1% and ±5%. The device provides low thermal EMF (<3µV/C) and a temperature range from -65C to +170C. The RoHS-compliant WSKW0612 is ideal for all types of current sensing and pulse applications in power management for cell phones; DC/DC converters for servers, VRMs for laptops, and Li-ion battery safety and management; industrial instrumentation and air conditioning inverters; and automotive electronic control such as engine, transmission, anti-lock brakes, audio, and climate controls, says the company.